The not so ugly step sister

A forgotten tale from a time long ago

Never told so it was never heard

A story so sweet and melodious as a song of a innocent child word for word

This is the twisted tale of the not so ugly step sister .

Everyone has heard the fantastic tale of Cinderella and all  remember the evil ugly step sisters. Yet that is not always true. I am hear to tell you of my story. I don't find myself evil but that's up to you to decide.  My father died when i was young. I know! Almost every story starts with that but it's true.  Me my sisters and mother were left to fend without our father's love and protection.  Short on money and resources I went to work in a mill and began to send as much money home as I possibly could. Through these years my sisters and mother grew rather bitter and jealous of the rich.   After a long five years in the mill I received a summons my mother was to be married.  As I sat within the beautiful  brown carriage  surrounded  by beautiful silk blue pillows. The countryside moved out of sight so calm and yet my mind was so cluttered.  We finally arrived at the house of my new family it's large menacing  door looked as though it could fall and crush me.  Each step I took seemed to weigh a hundred pounds.  What if they didn't want me around?  What if me and my new father don't get along?   Slowly I approach the bronze knocker on the door. I place my small bag on the steps of this new palace that I don't belong.  It takes all my strength to move the knocker. I can hear the thud echo within the house. Then the guava this door swings open revealing a man of many years dressed like a man of high stature. His voice is cold and not a shred of care  " name madam" .  I can't help but to stare at the little man my mouth trying to form words.  "I'm I'm I ......am "

"Madam are you alright ?"

" so sorry I am rose thorn" . The aged man looks at me for a moment the waves his hand in his direction and begins the walk into the brightly lit  room full of art and decor unfamiliar to me. Slowly we come upon two more doors they swing open to four people I don't even recognize.  A man with a kind face and A little blonde girl   Beside him.  Then an aged woman and two brown haired girls sits close to her side.  I walk slowly looking down at my shoes that have holes in the souls and my dress that looks to be made of rags.  The aged woman gets up and holds her arms open toward me. her voice isn't smooth like I remember but raspy " my dearest rose so glad for you to join us this fine day in your new home".  She wraps me with her arm with a tight embrace.   The man stands and moves toward me and with one swift motion he gestures his hand. I then place my small fingers in his grasp and then the earth from his soft skin transfers to mine.  I then look in his eyes as he brings my hand to his pink lips and bestows a gentle kiss.  I am then sat beside the two brown haired children who look at me with bark eyes.  I'm afraid to even say a word to break the sincere silence.  I look toward the glistening window that sparkles with the help of the beautiful setting sun that's paints the sky.  The clouds lay across her colors absorbing their warmth.    Out I see a beautiful garden full of all the colors you could ever imagine.  I almost gasp at the never ending beauty I see, yet I bite my tongue remembering of the silence around me .  Slowly the aged man enters the room. "Sir dinner is served in the west wing dining room ".

" Thank you Maxwell".  The man with the kind loving eyes ..... My new father rises and with his soft yet direct motion he gestures for all of us to accompany him to the dining room.  We were then seated around a  elegant table it's surface was as smooth as the face of a skipping stone.  Upon its dark wood sets a single candelabra. I sit beside the small blonde child with beautiful gleaming blue eyes.  The plates are then placed before us and the room begins to permeate with the delicious smells  as it makes it way into your nose your mouth begins to water. Upon the fine china a most deliciousness meal of duck and boiled potatoes, then out comes soup and bread. We all begin to eat in silence till the little blonde girl utters in a soft small voice " are you like your sisters?"  No one heard her small voice speak  those  words other than me. I turn to look at the innocent child with the rosy cheeks.

" No I am quite different from them " I whisper so only it reaches her ears.  Then a wonderful smile stretches  across her face.  I turn and begin again to eat the meal in silence.  Soon the sky's beauteous rays are hidden behind a silk black cloth that is speckled with jewels. Maxwell with my little tarnished bag in hand begins to lead me through a maze of hallways that seem to Swallow all that enters its corridors.  Finally for what seemed to be a day and a night we stop at another gigantic door. Yet this one is different it is a crisp looking black wood and upon the fine grain a rose the most beautiful rose is painted in the deepest red I have ever seen. I cannot help but let out a gasp! " my lady does the rose displease you would you like it removed?"

"O no it is just so beautiful and with such astonishing  craftsmanship it took my breath away!"

"I see I will give your compliments to the master"

I walk into the room and my eyes can't concentrate on just one beautiful object due to there being so many.  I look at the huge bed covered  in silk red pillows.  I turn to the wall next to my bed and see a gigantic window yet in the center again another magnificent stain glass rose. Then my attention is directed  to the beautiful mirror around its outside there is carved what seem to be tangled vines.  I have never been given so much in all of my life I lay half dazed by the odd day trying to wrap my mind around the thought that this is mine and I won't have to work in that mill again.   I then hear a knock upon my door. I open it to reveal my mother. Her voice is cold and unnerving " why haven't you changed out of those horrible rags"

She opens the cabinet to reveal a rack of dazzling dresses and nightgowns she then lays a night gown upon the silk bed.  " Tomorrow there shall be a ball for announcing your arrival.  In the morning your tutors shall be here to teach you to dance, and how to have proper manners understood?" "Yes mam" she then turns and exits the rooms without another word.  Have I done something to displease her?  I get dressed and maxwell comes to dispose of my rags.  I begin to remove my drawing from my tarnished bag and place them upon my desk the cool wood sends a chill down my spine.  I begin with a black sheet of yellowing parchment, and began slowly the quill and ink dance across the page.  Slowly the night drifts into the movement of my hand.  The gleaming beams brighten my dark room.  I look back to see the light making my glass rose bloom across my floor .  Then I notice the soft face of the blonde child upon my desk her sweet blue eyes framed with her thick blonde hair .  I was in a trace, each line sways as if dancing in the wind. Bang!  I am awoken from my trance.  "Miss Rose would you please get dressed and come down for breakfast." " Yes I will be there soon so sorry."